Dorothy Shaw had long dreamed of meeting dolphins.
At age 75, she got her wish with a special field trip to Marineland in St. Augustine arranged by the nursing home where she lives, PruittHealth-Fleming Island. Family members accompanied her.
Shaw was unable to comment on the experience herself, but Cathy Hester, the center's activities director, told her story.
"Dorothy has had a love for dolphins for many years. Whenever dolphins were mentioned or included in an activity, you could immediately see the excitement in her eyes," she said. "Meeting a dolphin had become a dream she carried with her and we were so grateful to finally make that dream a reality."
When the moment arrived, Shaw beamed.
"Her reaction was priceless," Hester said. "The moment
she saw the dolphins up close, her face lit up with excitement and pure joy. She was amazed to be so close to the animals we had talked about and she loved for so long. It was one of those beautiful moments where you could see just how much the experience meant to her."
The field trip and a shopping stop at Buc-ee's were part of PruittHealth's Committed to Caring Challenge, an annual tradition where PruittHealth locations select a patient and fulfill a lifelong dream.
"Each year, we … choose one patient and help make one of their dreams come true," Cynthia Davis, the Fleming Island center's director of health services, said. "But the impact goes beyond that one experience. It reminds and inspires all of our residents that you are never too old to pursue a dream, overcome barriers or experience something new. Moving into a nursing home doesn’t mean someone stops living a meaningful and fulfilling life."
The joy on Shaw's face, she said, was "something our team will never forget."
"Anyone who has met Dorothy knows what a joyful and spirited person she is," Davis said. "She has a wonderful way of communicating through her facial expressions, laughter, gestures and contagious personality. Dorothy brings positive energy wherever she goes."
Hester agreed. The trip "gave all of us the opportunity to see the profound impact that meaningful experiences can have on a patient's life. For Dorothy, this was so much more than a day trip. It was the fulfillment of a dream and a reminder that her wishes, hopes and happiness matter."
And she got quite the haul at Buc-ee's — two bracelets, an outfit, two pairs of socks, a stuffed Buc-ee plush, a blanket, hair accessories including a pink cowgirl hat and lunch.
Beth Reese Cravey has been a reporter for The Florida Times-Union for 45 years, currently specializing in nonprofits and health. She can be reached at bcravey@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 'Pure joy': Fleming Island senior finally meets dolphins at Marineland
